88 Life.3 The rebellious Heroes-2

"Georg. Call the groups of Grim Reapers. Hades is after the weakened Ophis. …..Also the swapping transportation that was done by the guys from Vali team before. Can you try that. Can you transport me and swap me with Seigfreed? I will leave the rest to Seigfreed."

"I only saw it once so I won't know if it will work smoothly. But I will try it."

"To be expected from the descendant of that professor, Georg Faust, who made a pact with the legendary devil Mephistopheles."

"...My ancestor is so great that it puts too much pressure on me. Anyway, roger that Cao Cao. ...Also about the information I gained before..."

Georg passes on a paper to Cao Cao with a serious face. Cao Cao's eyes become sharper after seeing that.

"…..I see. So this is the way the Old-Maou gives his gratitude for saving him…. No, I knew it from the start. Well, he did cooperate with us enough."

…..Did something happen? From their atmosphere it seems like something they didn't predict happened... After their conversation, Georg goes off somewhere using a magic-circle. Cao Cao then turns to us.

"Georg went outside the hotel. He's preparing for the swapping transportation between me and Seigfreed."

Swapping transportation. The transportation used on Fenrir to swap places with Vali. Is Georg trying to do it by himself after seeing Le Fay and Kuroka doing it together only once…..? Cao Cao then says it to us.

"Very well. Let's play a game Vali team and Gremory team. Soon a group of Grim Reapers will be coming here on Hades's orders to retrieve the weakened Ophis over there. I will also have Seigfreed from my team participate in it. The key point of this game is whether or not all of you can get out of here safely. We won't know what will happen when Hades captures that Ophis. –Now...can you get out of here while protecting Ophis with your lives? Please challenge it. I want the Two-Heavenly dragons to survive but I have no intention of enforcing it to the Grim Reapers and my comrades. I think it is more suitable to fight those who overcome a crisis."

Saying just that, Cao Cao disappears.

....Game…..? He sure is fucking around…..! I couldn't keep my anger down towards Cao Cao who has been looking down on us.

Part 3

"There are Grim Reapers in the car park, quite a large number of them."

Kiba who went to take a look came back to the hotel room where we were staying on stand-by.

"...That bastard Hades! He's seriously making a move!"

Sensei spat out with disgust.

After the fight with Cao Cao, we the Gremory team who had many injured people, Irina, Sensei, Vali, Kuroka, Le Fay, and Ophis were on the upper floor of the hotel located in the artificial space.

The hotel was sixty stories high. We moved to the middle of the hotel, which is the thirtieth floor, and covered the whole floor with many of Le Fay's sturdy barriers in order to use it as our base. If she wanted to, she could have put defensive barriers on the whole area, but in exchange for having a certain amount of defence a single floor was the limit. We had the injured resting in separate rooms on the same floor waiting for Asia's healing. Me, Xenovia and Sensei who had been injured are now completely healed. Kuroka has also been healed but she is resting in another room. Koneko-chan and Ravel are looking after Kuroka. Vali had his wounds healed but his curse couldn't be removed, so he had to endure the intense pain in another room.

…..According to Le Fay, she tried using dispell on his curse, but Samael's curse was simply too powerful. As a result we learned it couldn't be removed that easily. He had received the best dispell there is, so all he could do now was to wait for the curse to wear off naturally. Meanwhile Vali would endure the constant pain of the curse.

…..Even Vali ended up in such a horrible condition. If I had received the curse…..I think I would have died. Asia was sleeping in the room next door because she seemed to be tired after continuously healing the injured. Even in a situation like this we still wanted her to have a chance to rest. But it looks like we need to make a plan so we can get out of here.

According to Sensei, this dimension was created by Georg who possesses the Sacred Gear Dimension Lost. Dimension Lost's Balance-Breaker, "Dimension Create", could use the mist to create a barrier. When Asia was kidnapped by Diodora, he made a similar thing. Including this hotel, he also created the car park and the nearby scenery as well. I heard that the space he recreated in the town of Kyoto where it included the surroundings of Arashima and having the Nijoujou at the centre was also because of that Balance-Breaker. Of course he stole the devils' technology for the game fields for the Rating Game and used it to create it. It's amazing how it could recreate the interior of the hotel with so much detail. The sensation of the bed felt real. But electric powered objects such as televisions didn't work. The water also didn't come out of the tap and the fridge was also empty. So there were things he could recreate and things he couldn't. Apart from the members resting and those taking care of them, everyone else is gathered in this room. Le Fay sighed.

"An official notification came from the main headquarters. To explain it simply, it said "The Vali team tried to do a coup d'état by deceiving Ophis and making the organisation their own. Ophis was rescued safely by the Hero-faction. Terminate any remaining members of the Vali team when found". That's how it is."

We're shocked at Le Fay's report. Are you serious! So they were told that Vali deceived Ophis! And she was rescued safely? No, no, the real one is here!

....Perhaps the one that was absorbed by Samael is the "real" one to them, and the one here was either the useless or fake one. They really are terrible...!

"So it turned out like that. The Vali team is not only being targeted by the Hero-faction, but things turned out like this because they were trying to grant Ophis' wish. What hardship."

Sensei also sighed. So the Vali-team are being treated as traitors, and are now being targeted. Maybe the price of doing what they felt like finally came to them. Though I couldn't forgive the things the Hero-faction were doing.

Le Fay then said it with a downcast attitude.

"We checked on the mysteries of the World beginning from Great Red-san, looking for legendary strong people, and sometimes make Ophis-sama's wish come true….. But it seems like the Hero-faction found us a nuisance because we have powers. Also Seigfried-sama seems to hate us a lot. Especially he didn't find it amusing that his former rival, my brother Arthur, came to this group..."

So there were quarrels like that. So Arthur was originally from the Hero-faction I see. Wait, the Vali-team was doing things like that while gathering powers?

"What are the mysteries of the World? I also can't understand what you're doing about the legendary strong people."

I ask Le Fay. What is that guy Vali doing with his comrades?

"Yes. We started off with the secret about Great Red-san swimming in the dimensional gap. The extinct civilisation. The technology of the lost continent of Mu and the continent of Atlantis. We also searched on parallel universes. We also went to look at the Yggdrasill from Norse mythology. Also the anecdote of legendary strong people and the search for the Heroes or creatures whose status, either dead or alive, is currently unknown. Sometimes we do terrorism."

"…..You guys are like adventurers."

"Yes! We have great adventures every day! We also fought against strong people. Vali-sama is also trying to find where the beings referred to as dragons originally came from. Also he's looking into the reason behind the big fight of the Two-Heavenly dragons. Also to see if we can find a new Longinus. That is also one of the things we searched for!"

Le Fay said with enjoyment.

...I take back my words. They aren't adventurers. They are just guys who have nothing to do! Maybe fighting Great-Red is Vali's final aim, but apart from that they are just going around looking for things that interest them. Is he being an adventurer in order to seek out strong foes?

"I think Vali-sama being a purist on things is an influence from Governor-sama."

Le Fay added that at the end. Hearing that Sensei sighed and put on lazy eyes. His face looked like that of a father who heard a report on the actions of his naughty son. Le Fay smiles.

"By the way Governor-sama. It has been a Longinus parade lately hasn't it. ---Is the person who is in possession of "Canis Lykaon" that is staying with the Grigori doing alright?"

Sensei who was just asked a question looked up at the ceiling.

".....[Canis Lykaon]. Slash Dog huh. He is out on a different mission. That is also quite a troublesome case. He hated Vali."

"Yes. I have heard."

Le Fay chuckles. I had my feelings soften up after seeing her adorable smile. I then ask Sensei.

"By the way Sensei. If Cao Cao has the strongest Longinus, then someone has the second strongest Longinus right?"

"Yeah. [Zenith Tempest]. That is the second strongest Longinus. The Top-tier Longinus are the four known as the [True Longinus], [Zenith Tempest], [Annihilation Maker], and [Dimension Lost]. The possessor of Zenith Tempest is already known and the heavens are mainly governing it... So Irina. How is he…..How is the Brave-Saints's "Joker" doing?"

Irina who was asked a question twitched her neck.

"Do you mean Dulio-sama? I hear that he wanders around places searching for delicious food….."

Sensei seemed to be speechless from that answer.

"Wha.... He's a genius reincarnated angel who might be picked as a candidate for Seraph! He's a Joker(Trump card)!? What are Michael and the Seraph guys doing!?"

Hearing Sensei's question Irina mumbles "E-Even if you say that to me...". Sensei has also hinted about the Joker of reincarnated angels before. Looks like he was chosen for that position.

"Is that person also strong?"

I asked Sensei but the one who answered is Le Fay.

"He is someone who Vali lists at the top of his "wanting to fight" list. He is apparently the Church's strongest Exorcist."

-Church's strongest Exorcist!?

So he must possess quite a lot of strength. He is the possessor of the second strongest Longinus, he's the strongest Exorcist, he's a reincarnated angel, and he's a Joker….. He's someone who has so much "strongest" criteria in him! Xenovia who is a former exorcist responds.

"Dulio Gesualdo. He was also famous within the Church. I never met him, but he was sent out mainly against High-class devils and really evil creatures even though he was just a human."

...He fought High-class devils even though he was a human….. He's basically like Cao Cao. He must be able to do that because he is a Longinus possessor….. Sensei then sighs.

"Longinus possessors huh. There are 13 Longinus: [True Longinus], [Sephiroth Graal], [Boosted Gear], [Divine Dividing], [Regulus Nemea], [Innovate Clear], [Absolute Demise], [Dimension Lost], [Zennith Tempest], [Incinerate Anthem], [Annihilation Maker], [Canis Lykaon], and [Telos Karma]. Put that on your memo carefully, Ise."

"Y-Yes!"

Though I don't have anything to write on!

-13 types. I have encountered about... half of them. Just thinking that there was another half of those Sacred Gears with abnormal abilities gave me the chills. Sensei stood up all of a sudden as if he realised something. Oh, did you come up with a good plan on how to get out of here?!

"Ah! I found the similar points between the current Longinus possesors. –Each and every one of them is hard to predict! We have an oppai-brain and battle freak and they are all selfish guys who have weird motives! I'm going to write that down afterwards! Damn it!"

….I'm an idiot for believing in you. But Sensei continued on.

"I also found one more similar point. –The way they use their Longinus isn't the same as how it was until now. Most of the possessors are finding different ways to use it and it is increasing their strength. ...Have the current kids surpassed our expectations... ? No, but still...."

Aaaah, he started to think by himself again. Once he goes off into his own world, Sensei doesn't come back that easily... That's what I thought but he seemed to have finished his thinking time. That's because Ophis returned to this room.

"I - 'll go around this floor."

Ophis just said that and left before. She finally came back.

"-So how do you feel Ophis?"

"I - 've become weak. Right now I - am twice as strong as the Two-Heavenly Dragons at their strongest times."

"That is…..yeah you have weakened."

"…..No, no. She's still twice as strong as Ddraig and Albion before they were sealed right? And she became weak while still having that much power? How strong was she before….."

I reply back to Sensei saying she has "weakened". If she weakened with that, then there's no place for me as one of the Two-Heavenly-Dragons!

"Well she is the strongest being out of every faction."

Yeah, you are right! So the original Ophis was much stronger. Well, she didn't even have Cao Cao in her mind even when he was her opponent.

"Hey Ophis. There's something I want to ask. Why did you save Asia and Irina back then?"

The fireball Georg released against Asia and Irina immediately after we arrived in the lobby. Ophis acted as their wall and protected them. Why did Ophis save those two? I was wondering about that. Wasn't she uninterested in anyone besides Great-Red and Ddraig? Ophis answers with one sentence.

"They gave me tea, they played cards with me."

….! Is she talking about what happened at my house? I asked her with a dumb look.

"T-That's it?"

Ophis nods at my question.

...Maybe she isn't a bad guy...?

"Thank you very much Ophis-san!"

Irina thanked her. Hearing Ophis's condition, Sensei put his hand on his chin.

"…..But only twice as strong as the Two-Heavenly Dragons. That's weird. Cao Cao said that you were basically a left over but if you still posses that much power then that's enough."

Well it was certainly like Sensei said. It seemed like the Grim Reapers and Seigfried were here, but if Ophis had that much power left then that made me feel relieved. Ophis raised her hand emotionlessly.

"Samael took my power, I released my power in the form of snakes in another space. That, is what I just went to retrieve. So I'm only twice as strong as Two-Heavenly Dragons."

-! Everyone became shocked at Ophis's confession! Sensei shouts.

"So the reason you said you would go around this floor is so you could retrieve the power you released to another space!?"

Ophis nods. Seeing that Sensei starts to laugh.

"Kukuku. That Cao Cao. He said he took most of Ophis's power, but Ophis released her power into a different dimension while she was having her power taken. She retrieved most of it just now and got back some of her original power. And she's still twice as strong as the Two-Heavenly Dragons in their primes. Looks like the Hero-faction took Ophis too lightly."

Looking back at Sensei, Ophis created a black snake with the tip of her finger.

"My power changed like this. This, is what I sent to another space. That, is what I retrieved. But I, cannot leave here. Here, there is something restraining me."

So that's how it is. Sensei stopped laughing and took a breath.

"Well if the Grim Reapers are here, then they have predicted certain types of resistance from Ophis. Also the current Ophis isn't infinite. She is finite. They must have a way to seal Ophis besides using Samael. It's obvious for us to be still and careful."

Sensei then asks Le Fay.

"Le Fay, you are talented in using magic related to space like Kuroka right? Is there anyway to get help from the outside world? Or is there anyway to get at least a few members out of here?"

"There is. –But since Kuroka-san is down, there is a limit to what I can do by myself. There is a magic where others can leave this space with me….. But the number of people that can is 2 at most. Since we performed a swapping transportation with Vali-sama and Fenrir-chan, I think the barrier on this space has become even stronger. I am pretty sure that it is impossible to perform the swapping transportation once again. I think Georg-sama knows the majority of the formula used by our magic, so there is only one more chance where I can use a very special transportation from here."

We can escape. But only three people including Le Fay, and there is only one chance.

"Are we going to make Ophis escape while fighting the Grim Reapers?"

I ask Sensei. Sensei shook his head to the sides.

"That would be impossible. Judging from what Ophis said earlier, this space has a special barrier that holds Ophis captured in here. I would love to ask them how they made such a thing, but Ophis must be the only one who can't leave here. We need to destroy the barrier somehow and escape from here together. And Grim Reapers are more dangerous than you think. In terms of potential, you guys are stronger but it is bad if you get cut with their scythe. Grim Reapers trim down life spans along with giving you damage. If Ise, you who is currently healing your lifespan gets hit by it, you will end up dying because your life span will go down to zero. Ophis is also finite right now. If she gets cut by the scythe repeatedly she will get weaker. So we need to protect Ophis at all cost. If we have her powers get taken away any further than this, the problems will increase drastically. Especially if our opponent is Hades."

So it means we have to make sure we don't let the enemy take Ophis. I also need to be careful about the Grim Reapers scythes. I will seriously die if I get cut by them. ....Looks like today is a day where I can get killed by even the slightest of things! This is weird! I already had my hands full with the Mid-class promotion test! And now it all turned around into a situation where our lives are in danger! Sensei then continues.

"But we also have to choose the members who should leave here to get help from the outside World."

Sensei's gaze grasped hold of Irina.

"-Irina, you will go first. Go and tell the truth about the Hero faction and coup d'état of Hades to Sirzechs and the heavens."

"B-But! I think it should be Ravel-san to escape first!"

Sensei continued speaking without pausing for Irina who is trying to argue back.

"Ravel said before that we don't need to have her as our first priority if we are to escape. –We are at a disadvantage here. They will definitely come to take down Ise, Vali and Ophis. The Dragon-God and Two-Heavenly-Dragons are things they'd want to take down definitely. If we have Hades use "this" Ophis over here for evil deeds, we won't know what would happen to this World!"

Irina seemed like she wanted to talk back to Sensei, but she kept it down and nodded her head.

...This girl takes deep care of her comrades, so she must have wanted to fight along side us till the last moment. But she understood her position and her role. Sensei then looks at Xenovia.

"Take Xenovia as your guard. The function of Ex-Durandal was destroyed, but Durandal itself can be used. There is a chance that reinforcements from the Hero-faction or Grim Reapers are outside this space."

"…..A guard huh?"

Xenovia narrowed her eyes.

Just like Sensei said, Ex-Durandal was destroyed. The Excalibur parts that were turned into a sheath were destroyed leaving the six cores of the original holy-sword. There is also a minor scratch on the blade of Durandal. Cao Cao's ability was something that could destroy the legendary Holy-sword with ease. In this situation, Xenovia can't fight with her usual powers. Xenovia also understands that. Even so, she still had a frustrated face.

"Guarding someone is also a splendid mission. –Also it's about time that the results of "that" research will be made. Go and confirm that as well. Also repairing Durandal. I'm sending you there because of that as well. It doesn't seem like it will end with only this battle, so go and repair it quickly."

Having Sensei say that, Xenovia nods quietly. Like this Xenovia and Irina will be leaving from here with Le Fay so they can alert others of the crisis. Le Fay goes to another room so she could alter the formula of the transportation magic circle. Since she wants to insert the basic information of Xenovia and Irina into the formula, they also left the room with her. Before leaving this room, Le Fay gave Irina a single sword.

"T-this is!"

Le Fay smiles at Irina who is shocked. –That is the last Excalibur sword, which was in possession of Arthur Pendragon. It's something called [Excalibur Ruler].

"Please take this. It is something that my brother asked me to take with me. I couldn't find the right time to give it to you, but I think now is a good time. That sword is something that has no use to us anymore."

"Is it okay?"

Le Fay nods at Xenovia's words.

"We have obtained Fenrir-chan. Fenrir-chan's power has decreased dramatically to allow us to control him, but even so there aren't any creatures that are more powerful than him. –How about you use all of the Excaliburs to repair Durandal?"

Irina bows her head down.

"...T-Thank you very much! Le Fay-san! I thought people who carry the blood of heroes are scary, but there are indeed some nice people among them!"

"Fufufu. I am honoured. Though I am called a weirdo along with my brother."

Le Fay made a bitter smile like that and goes to another room along with Xenovia and Irina. But Ex-Durandal, that will have all of the Excalibur in it! Until now it was only equipped with 6 of them! Even I can't imagine how it will turn out! Sensei then knocks his knees.

"Now Rias. We will think about the plan to escape from here. Our aim is to escape from here along with Ophis and having all of us get out of here alive."

"Yes. That would be obvious."

The two tacticians smiled and it was strategy time now. Yes. We will definitely escape from here with all of us still alive!

Part 4

While Rias, Sensei and Akeno-san made a plan, I decided to check up on Kuroka to see how she was doing. Her wounds have healed but she's still resting on the bed. According to Le Fay, Kuroka was on the lookout to make sure nobody would be after Ophis so she has been on alert this whole time. Because of that, her stamina and mind were drained much more than she thought. That's why she hasn't fully recovered even though her wounds were healed. Right now, Ravel is looking after Kuroka. Naturally it should be Ravel, who is a guest, that should be escaping from here first. But she chose to stay here because she was worried about Koneko-chan and Kuroka.

"I'm a member of the immortal house of Phoenix. I won't die that easily."

That's how she responded. That's why it ended up being Xenovia and Irina escaping from here. As expected from someone from the immortal family. She sure has guts. That's also why we need to protect this girl along with everyone else.

"…..How is it?"

I asked Kuroka who is laying down on the bed. Kuroka put on a naughty smile.

"Ara. Sekiryuutei-chin. You are so kind to come and see me –nyan."

"Well you did save my comrade, Koneko-chan after all."

"It was just a coincidence –nyan."

That coincidence was an action taken before you shouted your sister's name out. She saved Koneko-chan from danger by risking her life. Next to the bed, Koneko-chan is sitting on a chair looking down.

"...Why?"

Koneko-chan mumbled and then suddenly got up and shouted.

"Why did you save me!? I was supposed to be like a tool to you, right Nee-sama!"

"I wonder why. I don't quite understand –nyan."

"Please don't play with me! ...That time you left me behind. Do you know how many horrible things the people around me said to me.... Even during the party in the Underworld you tried to take me away by force..."

Koneko-chan who usually didn't speak that much was releasing all the things she had built up inside her.

"I can't understand you Nee-sama...…!"

Saying that, Koneko-chan leaves the room!

"Koneko-chan!"

I tried to go after her but Kuroka stops me by pulling my sleeve.

"Rest assured. I will go after her."

Just saying that, Ravel went after Koneko-chan. I have been making Ravel take care of many things, but I think there are things only she can do because they are in the same class. I sat down on the chair where Koneko-chan had been sitting before and then asked Kuroka.

"...Hey Kuroka. What happened at your previous master's place?"

"Nothing. I just killed him because he was a detestable bastard –nyan."

Saying that, Kuroka stopped smiling and put on a serious face.

"Nekoshou….. He became a nuisance because he took too much interest in our powers. Putting me aside, if my previous stupid master were to have asked Shirone to use senjutsu, she would have used it without hesitation and her powers would have gone berserk. –She is an honest girl after all."

Kuroka who just said that, has some kindness in her eyes right now.

"Anyway he was focused on increasing the ability of his servants, and made us go through things forcefully. Having his servants go through that is one thing but he also tried to forcefully strengthen his servants' family –nyan."

The reason why Kuroka became a wanted person. That's because she killed her master. Why did she do that. That's because.....

"…..Did you save Koneko-chan from him? The reason why you tried to take her away at the Underworld forcefully is so she could get away from "power". ...It's because I'm a Sekiryuutei who attracts powers...."

She has evil intentions. She has the heart of a naughty child. I can tell she is someone who does the things she feels like doing. But after spending the past several days with her, I have started to think that she has another side to her.

"...I like fooling around you know? I also like using my powers. I also love entertaining things. I am a stray cat after all –nyan. It's better to wander around how I feel like with comrades whom I can relate to. But Shirone is different. She suits being a house cat. That is why Sekiryuutei—chan."

Kuroka says it to me with serious eyes.

"I don't care even if you become a mass of powers, but I want you to become an idiotically honest Heavenly-dragon just like Vali. If that happens, that girl will also become idiotically happy."

...I see. It can't be helped that you are a naughty cat. The bad cat of the Vali team. There are parts of you that like being drunk with your own sennjutsu power. And you probably also love fighting too. But your little sister... You also like Koneko-chan like as well, right?

".... You are more clumsy than me."

When I said that with a bitter smile, Kuroka made a weird face and looked to the side.

"I don't want to hear that from a power idiot like you –nyan. Even if I look like this, I am a Wizard-type that consumed 2 Bishop pieces you know? –Well this discussion is over. I'm going to sleep –nyan. Or do you want to do baby making with me right now –nyan? You are a horrible Heavenly-Dragon who wants to forcefully try to make love to a woman who is injured -nya."

"I would love to! No, that's not what I mean idiot! Get some rest. Now is not the time for it."

I will have her rest until the battle starts. Kuroka's ability will become very useful for the upcoming battle. I got up from the chair and tried to leave the room.

".....Thank you, Sekiryuutei-chan."

I turned around after she said that, but she is acting as if she didn't say anything and is sleeping.

After checking Kuroka out, I was walking towards the room where "that" guy was resting. When I got inside the room, Vali had his upper body up and was laying down. His wounds are healed thanks to Asia, but his face looks awfully bad. He is breathing violently and he seems to be in great pain. The curse of Samael must be circulating throughout his body. ...It is my first time seeing him like this and I don't want to see him like this either.

"...I never thought you would take that much damage from one attack."

When I said that, he makes a bitter smile.

"Seems like I showed something unpleasant. I came here to take down Cao Cao but ended up like this."

"It means that that's how insane the Dragon-Eater Samael's curse is; though I didn't think you would go down without doing anything."

There seriously wasn't anything we could do. Getting hit once made this guy, who is basically an embodiment of power, go down. That scene is burnt into my memory. There must be a reason why Cao Cao used Samael in that situation. That must have been the only way he had to stop Vali who was about to use Juggernaut-Drive.

"Sounds like you are backing me up."

"I come to realise how strong you are every time I get stronger. I'm frustrated because it seems like I still haven't caught up to you yet."

"....I'm really looking forward to it. Catch up to me quickly."

"You sure are full of yourself, which makes me feel sick of it. So did you obtain the power that surpasses Juggernaut-Drive?"

"So what if I did?"

"I feel relieved. It doesn't seem like you to not do anything against Cao Cao right?"

Vali nodded quietly saying "You are right" against my sarcasm.

".....Cao Cao guarded Georg and Samael. He stole the power of Ophis without doing any flashy attacks. He did all that by himself and attacked us in a way that wouldn't kill us. He fulfilled these four hard requirements while overwhelming us with the minimum amount of attacks necessary. Even if Samael's power was involved, you should also have realised his power. –That is the leader of guys who have their fangs raised against superior-beings and above all they are just humans."

Yeah I know. He blocked the demonic-attacks of the magic duo's from both the Gremory group and Vali team while playing around with you and Sensei. Even I...

I thought that I paid him back with Triaina at Kyoto. But I'm so frustrated to find out that I'm not anywhere near that guy today....! I held my hand very tightly with frustration. Vali then says it.

"They observe their opponents very carefully and research the weakness of their opponents without any blind spots. On top of that they look very deeply into the traits of their weapons. That is the Hero-faction. The one in the center of them is the man called Cao Cao who wields the Holy-spear. Remember that man's Balance-Breaker very carefully. That is a sub-species Balance-Breaker that he developed through research and he still continues to do further research on it so he can take on the superior-beings all by himself."

"And there is a thing called [Truth Idea] right? How strong is that guy….."

"...[Truth Idea] is something very similar to our Juggernaut-Drive, but also something far from it..... He can gain an overwhelming power though it will come with the price of going berserk. I don't think he can control [Truth Idea] because he doesn't have that much Demonic-power.....no, magic power as me...."

He did try to use it against me at Kyoto. Did he try to activate it because he was taken down by me and also because of the atmosphere of that scene? Or did he have a method to control it...?

Vali continues on.

"If it is defence, both you and I have higher defence than him. His magical-power isn't high either. If our attacks hit Cao Cao, he will go down. But his techniques are too high. But he also realises that he is a "human" more than anyone else. ...In Rating Games, he would be someone called the ultimate technique type. Well if he wanted to, he could have enormous amounts of aura emit from the spear to eliminate a section of an area."

The ultimate technique type.... A technique and ability that specialises in attacking people's weakness. An attack used after researching his opponents. My Triaina-Rook damaged him in Kyoto. I could have defeated him if it hit him directly. It was the same today as well. But Cao Cao understands my ability completely and it didn't seem like it would hit him at all.... Cao Cao is the exact opposite of Sairaorg-san. He is too creepy. And it is hard to tell what he is thinking.

…..An existence whom I can't come to understand. That is Cao Cao. Oh yeah. There is one thing I need to confirm.

"Hey Vali. Why did you send Ophis to our place? Weren't you only trying to use her?"

"Me? To Ophis?"

Vali makes a reaction as if my guess was completely off the mark. Is he telling the truth?

He used Ophis as bait to lure Cao Cao out. But he did think about Ophis's wishes as well. He also tried to release Ophis from Samael's attack. If he was only after Cao Cao, he could have left Ophis like that and attacked Cao Cao right away.

"...I was just someone who Ophis could talk to. She seemed lonely at times. …..No, it's nothing. I said something unnecessary. Forget it."

I see. So it's nothing huh. Okay then. Let's make it that way. But I think I can understand what he means by Ophis seeming lonely. She interacted with Asia and Irina and saved them, they who had paid attention to her. That alone makes Ophis someone who I would guard with my life. That was something very certain to me.

"Ophis is the boss of bad guys. No. She "was" their boss. Even so, I will make sure she escapes from here."

"Yeah. You can tell that something insane would happen if she gets caught by Hades."

"After this I'm going to participate in the plan to escape from here. Vali. Are you going to rest?"

"...I would want to rest, but I'm a [Hakuryuukou] so I can't help it. –Even if my body is affected with a curse, I can't be backing down from mere Grim Reapers. To begin with, I never had the choice of staying out of it."

…..An embodiment of pride. I felt very relieved to hear something that he would usually say. Yeah. With this we can fight. Our preparations are ready.

"Vali. Let's finish our fight one day. Defeating you is one of my aims."

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it Hyoudou Issei. Both of us can't die in a place like this."

The plan to escape from here is getting closer...